2011 BMW X6 M Beckley WV

For a giant, clearly compromised vehicle, the X6 M manages to feel surprisingly agile, and the ample turbo torque means massive acceleration is available whenever you please. It’s a fantastic tourer, with very comfortable seats and a supple ride when you want it.

2011 BMW X6 M

2010 BMW X6 M By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor

2010 BMW X6 M DriverSide OverviewHas BMW’s M division completely lost its collective sanity? Once the purveyor of some of the world’s most lithe, tactile, naturally aspirated sports machines, they’ve gone and made this: a near three-ton, twin-turbo SUV. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, this would be borderline unforgiveable. So what gives? Well, despite a shrinking global economy and uncertain automotive industry, the super-ute market remains an untapped resource for BMW. And, surprisingly, these super-fast behemoths are still selling. Take into account that, despite all odds, BMW’s enigmatic and endlessly contradictory X6 “Sports Activity Coupe” hasn’t been a complete sales flop, and you begin to see the why the X6 M came to be. Even given the highly capable competition (we’re looking at you, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S), the X6 M remains highly impressive, able to sprint from 0-60 in under five seconds courtesy of its thundering 555 horsepower twin-turbo V-8 engine. And it’s pretty capable in the bends too, with its four-wheel drive system and massive 20-inch tires offering tons of grip. But beyond that, it’s a fairly compromised vehicle. Rear storage doesn’t feel any greater than that of a luxury sedan and it only seats four. We think the X5 M might be slightly less contrived thanks to its traditional SUV shape, but the X6 is equally comfortable, if not shockingly unnecessary.

2010 BMW X6 M

2010 BMW X6 M

2010 BMW X6 M What's to LikeFor a giant, clearly compromised vehicle, the X6 M manages to feel surprisingly agile, and the ample turbo torque means massive acceleration is available whenever you please. It’s a fantastic tourer, with very comfortable seats and a supple ride when you want it.

What's Not to LikeAs always, you pay a hefty premium for that M badge, in this case over $20K more than the not-very-slow-in-its-own-right X6 xDrive50i. Fuel economy is inexcusably dismal and you’ll be lucky to see mid-to-high teens, even if you drive almost exclusively on the highway. Storage space and seating are far too limited for a vehicle this size.

The Drive:DriverSide Driving ImpressionsThe X6 M is all about mid-range turbo grunt, delivering a heavy thud of torque from just above idle that doesn’t let up until 6,000 rpm. It’s a fantastically flexible engine, feeling every bit as manic at 3,000 rpm as it does at redline, even if the V-8 is wanting for better vocals. The automatic transmission shifts incredibly fast but sacrifices none of the buttery-smooth off-the-line characteristics that some dual clutches have trouble replicating. Get it into a corner and the balance and grip are surprising to say the least, but feel through the steering wheel is frighteningly vague for a BMW. Get out of the X6 M and into a small roadster a...

The M6 lies at the intersection of supercar, GT and sports coupe. It brings performance and styling cues from all three segments to create a car that is unlike any other on the market, and as such, will only appeal to a very specific – and very affluent – group of consumers.